Celebrate Life's Adventures!https://celebratelifesadventures.com
Travel that digs deeperWed, 01 Aug 2018 04:29:37 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8https://celebratelifesadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-faviconCLA-32x32.jpgCelebrate Life's Adventures!https://celebratelifesadventures.com
3232The Best Vegan Food in Québec City, Canadahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/UZKSIYprvCs/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/vegan-food-quebec-city/#respondWed, 01 Aug 2018 04:10:37 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1105Is it difficult to travel when you’re vegan? It doesn’t have to be! I’ve been vegan for over 17 years and have travelled throughout the world while maintaining a vegan diet. On a recent trip to Québec, I found numerous options for vegan food in Québec City. Actually, there were more places that I wanted to check out then the amount of time I had. Take a look at my

]]>Is it difficult to travel when you’re vegan? It doesn’t have to be! I’ve been vegan for over 17 years and have travelled throughout the world while maintaining a vegan diet. On a recent trip to Québec, I found numerous options for vegan food in Québec City. Actually, there were more places that I wanted to check out then the amount of time I had. Take a look at my recommendations and feel free to leave a comment to let me know if there are others I should check out the next time I’m in the city.

This blog post has affiliate links throughout. At no additional cost to you, if you click on any link and happen to make a purchase, I may make a small commission. I only write about and recommend products and services that I wholeheartedly think my readers will enjoy.

Wondering Where to Find the Best Vegan Food in Old Québec City?

If you’re out sightseeing in Old Québec, there are several options within walking distance of all the main sights.

Bols et Poké

My first time having a poké bowl was at Bols et Poké. Clearly marked on the menu, the Mahalo bowl is a solid vegan option. There are other vegetarian options, too.

Les Gourmandises Louca

This café (with rows of bulk dried goods and bulk cleaning products) is better than I imagined it could be based on my pre-trip research!

I loved the food, atmosphere, and prices here so much that I went back three times!

I had the “roulé coco-cacao” hazelnut rolls 3 times! I also tried the chocolate tart and also the chocolate croissant. All were incredible! I will have to come back again when I am next in Québec City!

I really love how this place promoted environmental sustainability with their reusable cloth napkins instead of paper ones, their bulk good for purchase, and their encouragement for customers to bring reusable containers for their take-away food.

Looking for other options for vegan food in Québec City?

Another option is just across the water from Old Québec. Take a ferry across to Lévis and walk up a steep hill to enjoy a delicious meal at Le Soixante 5.

Le Soixante 5 restaurant had shut its doors and were closing up for the night, the chef and server starting to put chairs on top of tables just as my friends and I were trying to open the door. According to their website and door sign, they should have been open for another 45 minutes. We knocked politely, thinking our chances of getting served a meal here were slim. A kind woman inside opened the door for us and we asked if we could still order food. She said yes “if it’s a quick meal,” and allowed us to come in.

The service here was “above and beyond” —the woman not only served us amazing fresh vegan food, but she stood on the table in order to take the above photo of us! She asked us why we were in the Québec City (we were there for a travel blogging conference), and tried making conversation with us despite our lack of French-language skills.

I ordered the butternut squash risotto, which I’d never had before. It was creamy, well-cooked (Gordon Ramsey would be proud), and properly seasoned. I can never resist vegan dessert options, so I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake with local blueberries.

Poutineville

When possible, it’s always a good idea to try out the local cuisine. You may think that you’ll miss out on trying poutine in Québec City, since it is usually made with (beef) gravy and cheese curd. Well, don’t worry – there is a vegan poutine option available!

Before I left for my trip to Québec, I got a recommendation from one of my managers who is from Montréal. She said to check out Poutineville. This chain casual dining restaurant is popular for the late-night crowd who want to grab a bite to eat after the bar or while wandering around town.

While you can order poutine or other things from the menu directly (available in both English and French), it’s more fun to create your own custom poutine. The vegetarian and vegan options are clearly listed on the create your own menu:

While I enjoyed my poutine-in-Quebec experience, I have had better, more cheesy (read: melty) poutine elsewhere in Canada. I know! Yes, I did say it.

Here are a few other ideas on how to find vegan food in Québec City:

The Happy Cow website has a huge database of restaurants and shops listed throughout the world. You can select locations based on them being vegan, vegetarian, or friendly to either or both.

A quick search on the TripAdvisor website shows me restaurants in Québec City. If you go to the sidebar and click on dietary restrictions, you can choose either vegetarian or vegan food in Québec City depending on your needs.

Be sure to pin this image to come back to it for when you next travel to Québec City:

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/vegan-food-quebec-city/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/vegan-food-quebec-city/Café du Presbytere in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Region in Québec, Canadahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/qbtDB283cAc/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/cafe-du-presbytere-saguenay-lac-saint-jean/#respondSat, 14 Jul 2018 18:36:52 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1162The Cafe du Presbytere in the borough of Chicoutimi, Québec was an unexpected delight! Who knew you could get such delicious vegan/vegetarian friendly food in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in Québec? I didn’t! Actually, I purchased quite a lot of snacks for this leg of my Québec trip before I left home, because I thought I’d be out of luck in terms of food options! Not only did the Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Who knew you could get such delicious vegan/vegetarian friendly food in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in Québec? I didn’t! Actually, I purchased quite a lot of snacks for this leg of my Québec trip before I left home, because I thought I’d be out of luck in terms of food options!

Not only did the Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean team make sure there were vegan options for me (and vegetarian options for another blogger), they took the whole press tour group to some amazing places to eat. I feel like we really experienced this region’s cuisine.

This café takes pride in serving its own version of well-known dishes made from local products and ingredients found by its chef in the woods of the Saguenay region. In a warm and friendly ambiance, you’ll enjoy delicious cuisine while encouraging your hosts’ mission of socio-professional integration. – Québec Original website

Tazim Damji with chef Nathalie Thibault

Below, you’ll find a video (in French) where chef Nathalie Thibault talks about and shows how she uses ingredients she picks from the boreal forest in her recipes:

Dining at Café du Presbytere was both a delicious dining experience and an educational experience. Chef Nathalie Thibault spent time with our group sharing her story, telling us about the people who work in the café (those who ordinarily would find difficulty obtaining a job otherwise), how she sources the ingredients from the boreal forest, and allowing us to taste raw ingredients.

I tried so many things for the first time at Café du Presbytere! I had no idea one could use fir tips and It became clear to me, listening to chef Nathalie, that there really is an art and science to knowing the right time of year to pick certain ingredients from the forest. With chef Nathalie’s knowledge and clear passion for creating unique recipes using local ingredients (many of which she and her dog gather themselves), it’s no wonder she was selected as one of the Boreale Zone Ambassadeurs de Saveurs.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/cafe-du-presbytere-saguenay-lac-saint-jean/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/cafe-du-presbytere-saguenay-lac-saint-jean/5 Things to do in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Regionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/5a3cLcf0LEU/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/things-to-do-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-region/#commentsSun, 08 Jul 2018 04:21:08 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1110I’d never heard of it and it took me a long time to figure out how to pronounce it, but once I stepped foot in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, I knew I’d found a special destination. Thank you to Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for the fantastic trip! There are affiliate links throughout this blog post. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I may earn some money. Your cost doesn’t

]]>I’d never heard of it and it took me a long time to figure out how to pronounce it, but once I stepped foot in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, I knew I’d found a special destination.

Thank you to Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for the fantastic trip! There are affiliate links throughout this blog post. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I may earn some money. Your cost doesn’t change.

Depending on the activities you most enjoy, there really is no bad time of year to visit the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region! I visited this part of Québec in early May and there was still snow in certain areas and Lac-Saint-Jean was still covered with ice and snow. I didn’t find the weather very cold, though.

A few of the things I packed: jeans, comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket (which I layered over a sweater or shirt/cardigan combo), and swimsuit. There were hot tubs at each of the hotels in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region where I stayed!

Where is the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Region?

The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is located about 2-2.5 hours drive north from Québec City, or 5 hours drive from Montréal, Québec in Canada. There are many options for transportation, including VIA Rail train, bus, car rental, or Intercar (a bus or limo bus transportation company which took my press trip group and I around the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region).

Things to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

There are so many things to do in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for the whole family! In the 4 days I spent in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, I experienced wildlife, culture, and the great outdoors. I learned about the importance of the pulp industry for the region at both Village historique de Val-Jalbert and La Pulperie de Chicoutimi – Musée régional. I saw black bears mingling with deer. I watched the rush of waterfalls multiple times. And I ate some amazing vegan food and stayed in gorgeous waterfront hotels!

Here are just 5 highlights from my trip to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Take a helicopter ride over the Saguenay Fjord

Thanks to Peak Aviation (courtesy of Promotion Saguenay), my press trip group and I got to experience an evening helicopter flight over Saguenay Fjord!

This was my first helicopter ride and my first time seeing a fjord. I remember looking at maps and atlases as a child, dreaming about the day I could see a fjord in Scandinavia for myself. I never imagined being able to see one (from the air no less) in my home country of Canada!

Who should visit: waterfall chasers, outdoor revellers, and wildlife admirers If you prefer to be closer to the water when exploring the Saguenay Fjord, Saint-Lawrence River and nearby areas, Saguenay–St Lawrence Marine Park Tours is a good option. Book your helicopter ride with Peak Aviation.

Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien

A visit to Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien will be one you won’t easily forget! This is the kind of place children, adults, sulky teenagers, and elderly people will all enjoy. Most of the zoo is wheelchair accessible and a bus or trolley takes guests through the natural boreal forest where animals are free to roam in their habitats. Just take a look at some of the pictures from my trip to give you an idea:

Musee du Fjord

Located in the Saguenay borough of La Baie, Musee du Fjord offers a hands-on experience for visitors to see (and touch) creatures that live in the Saguenay Fjord. I love how interactive this museum is! This is a place that will both educate and entertain people of all ages.

With the assistance of some well-educated guys from the museum, who answered all our questions about the landscape, types of marine life, and history of the Saguenay Fjord, my group and I got to work looking for worms (and taking lots of pictures).

Village historique de Val-Jalbert

The Village historique de Val-Jalbert was one of my favourite places to stop on my trip to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. This ghost town was set up as a company town in the 1920s for a paper mill. While many of the buildings have been restored, others have been left alone to show visitors what they’d look like without human intervention. Also, many of the materials for restoration are expensive and hard to come by!

Visitors can walk around the village, interact with costumed interpreters, have meals and snacks (I’ve been assured that they have vegan-friendly options available), and go up the gondola (dependent on time of year) for amazing views of Lac-Saint-Jean!

There’s a beautiful waterfall here, too!

Visitors can even stay the night! How cool would it be to wander around a ghost town at night?

La Pulperie de Chicoutimi

La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, located in the Saguenay borough of Chicoutimi, is often used as a site for wedding photographs. With the waterfall that leads in to the Saguenay River (via Chicoutimi River and Le Bassin), the beautiful natural surroundings, and historic buildings, it’s easy to see why!

Chicoutimi is a word in the Innu-aimun language of the Appelés Montagnais (or Innu) peoples of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region meaning “where seawater and freshwater meet.”

Chicoutimi was a very important place for meeting and settlement 4500 years ago and was a trading post until 1848. You can learn more of the history of the area at the museum. This museum features the history of the local residents and also hosts travelling and temporary exhibits. One of the highlights is viewing the detailed painting of the interior and exterior house of painter Arthur Villeneuve.

Beautiful walking trails nearby the Chicoutimi River allow visitors to get close to the historical buildings and enjoy the natural setting.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/things-to-do-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-region/feed/25https://celebratelifesadventures.com/things-to-do-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-region/3 Waterfront Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Hotels in Québec, Canadahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/nM1_TEa1kts/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/waterfront-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-hotels-in-quebec-canada/#commentsSat, 23 Jun 2018 03:36:58 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1076With the Saguenay river, Lac Saint-Jean, and the Saguenay Fjord, staying the night at one of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hotels on the waterfront seems like the right choice. I had the pleasure of spending 3 nights in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in waterfront hotels. Thank you to Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for the trip! You will find affiliate links in this blog post. I’ve included helpful links for you and if you end

]]>With the Saguenay river, Lac Saint-Jean, and the Saguenay Fjord, staying the night at one of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hotels on the waterfront seems like the right choice.

I had the pleasure of spending 3 nights in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in waterfront hotels.

Thank you to Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean for the trip! You will find affiliate links in this blog post. I’ve included helpful links for you and if you end up making a purchase on one of the sites I may earn money at no extra cost to you.

Where is Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean?

The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is about 2 to 2.5 hours drive north from Québec City in the province of Québec in Canada.

Saguenay is located in the heart of the region, which includes the boroughs of La Baie, Chicoutimi and Jonquière for a combined population of 148,900.

click for larger version of map

3 Waterfront Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Hotels in Québec, Canada

Ambiance and Location

Located in the Saguenay borough of La Baie, Auberge des 21 offers views of the Baie des Ha! Ha! I saw a guy windsurfing when I was here and enjoyed walking along the waterfront directly in front of the hotel. I also enjoyed walking around the block looking at the beautiful architecture and nearby church. The hotel prides itself on using local, organic or environmentally friendly products.

Accommodations

The bed was really comfortable and the view was really beautiful! I enjoyed soaking in the big bath tub in the evening to relax.

Activities

Ambiance and Location

This was my favourite of the 3 waterfront Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hotels I stayed in. It was like a winter wonderland, heading to the Auberge des Iles in early May. The lake had lots of snow on it and there was definitely some crispness in the air. The hotel overlooks Lac Saint-Jean and rooms have balconies to make the best of the view.

The new owners are renovating the hotel and facilities, so I’m sure if I return for another visit the upgrades will be really impressive.

Accommodations

Since we stayed at the hotel during low-season, we were I loved having a balcony with a lakeview! Down below, I could see the hot tub and pathway to the beach (when it’s not covered in snow). The beds in the room were comfortable with soft cotton bedding and a great bathtub! If there’s a bathtub in a hotel, I’ll definitely be checking it out. I always wonder why hotels don’t offer bath oils or something to add bubbles to bath tubs?! I always bring a little bottle of my own, though.

Food

The chef went through the entire menu with us, listing ingredients (and where he sources them), letting us know what alterations he can make, and telling us if it is enough to eat on its own or should be combined with another dish for a full meal.

There are a few vegetarian options and options for children, but the chef prepared me a special vegan meal including a delicious bowl of onion soup! I’d never tried onion soup before, so really enjoyed the experience. The noodle bowl with fried tofu was one of the best ones I’ve ever eaten in my life! The view from the restaurant over the (snow-covered) lake—Lac Saint-Jean—were enchanting. What a great place to watch the sunset from.

Activities

There is a hot tub. You can go for a walk along the beach, rent a canoe, or go out for a swim in the lake (weather permitting).

Ambiance and Location

This hotel is in a very peaceful area, looking onto Lac Saint-Jean. There is plenty of grassy places to relax outside, a playground for children, beach access, and a Nordic spa.

Accommodations

With a variety of options to choose from, like a condo/apartment with full kitchen on multiple levels and a balcony or a chalet. The exterior of the buildings are wooden – really adding to the ambiance.

While there were two beds on the second level of the condo I stayed in, both beds were worn and uncomfortable. It was also very hot at night. I did really enjoy the living room area, which had a sofa and full dining table. It would be a nice place to visit for a few days, as there was a full kitchen in my condo.

Food

I enjoyed the authentic Québecois dinner of Fondue Chinoise – a beef or vegetarian thin soup base and vegetables or meat that you cook on skewers. I had baked potato pieces, broccoli pieces, and pieces of mushroom to dip in the vegan base. I also enjoyed the minestrone soup we had to start. This was my first time having fondue like this!

Activities

There is a lovely beach to play in during warmer months. There is also a Nordic spa (at the time of writing it was being renovated after a recent fire).

Find other Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hotels. The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hotels that I stayed in were all waterfront properties. With the exception of the Auberge des 21 hotel, the others were not located close enough to towns to walk to get food to eat or for sightseeing.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/waterfront-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-hotels-in-quebec-canada/feed/2https://celebratelifesadventures.com/waterfront-saguenay-lac-saint-jean-hotels-in-quebec-canada/Car Camping Essentialshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/Mbv7Gj2pd_E/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/car-camping-essentials/#respondWed, 09 May 2018 23:57:10 +0000http://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=982If you aren’t up for a long camping trip, car camping can be a great alternative. This type of camping is great for those with larger groups, children or elderly people—as well as for those that are either not physically fit enough or not interested in a grueling week of hiking 10 to 25km per day. So, what do you need in order to have an enjoyable car-camping trip? Check

]]>If you aren’t up for a long camping trip, car camping can be a great alternative. This type of camping is great for those with larger groups, children or elderly people—as well as for those that are either not physically fit enough or not interested in a grueling week of hiking 10 to 25km per day.

So, what do you need in order to have an enjoyable car-camping trip?

Check out this list of Car Camping Essentials

2) Something to eat—you don’t have to have a bbq, stove or campfire, non-heated food works well, too. You can pack sandwiches, chips, etc. or get more creative. I prefer to take a small camping stove and some food that I want to heat up:

3) Something to sleep on. You don’t necessarily have to buy sleeping bags and pads if you are just car camping. Instead, you can bring along your comforters/duvets, blankets and pillows from home. Camping in the Rocky Mountains, it tends to get very cold at night, so I prefer to have my mummy sleeping bag and a comfy Thermarest blow-up pad to cushion me from the hard ground.

4) Lighting. I like using headlamps (good for heading to the toilet in the dark), but also portable flashlights and lanterns for inside the tent. We’ve had our LED headlamps for 10 years now. There are new, fancier ones out there, but ours get the job done well enough.

5) Entertainment. I usually find myself content just sitting and enjoying my friends’ company while we stare at our natural surroundings, but I also enjoy watching movies (on a laptop, iPad or iPhone), reading or writing whilst on a camping trip. These activities are nice if you plan on staying at the campsite for more than 1 night, especially, or you don’t plan on hiking or walking much during the day.

6) Napkins and Plastic Bags. These are needed for when you’re eating and for your garbage, which should never be left in the tent with you (nor outside. . .and that goes for food of any kind, too).

7) Water, and possibly a filter. There may or may not be running water where you go camping. . .and you may or may not want to boil it. I am currently looking for a water filter that isn’t too clunky to come with me backcountry camping.

8) Appropriate clothing for the season/weatherAt minimum:

Comfy shoes, for hiking/walking—even to the outhouse/port-o-potty.

Light rain jacket that’s windproof (this is something I like to keep in the trunk of my car for emergencies)

Lightweight gloves

Light layers of clothing that can easily be added to or removed as it gets warmer/cooler

Extras:

Titanium sporks—we’ve had our Snow Peak ones for 10 years and love them for work lunches and camping trips.

a Cooler for keeping drinks and snacks cold—great for the drive to the campsite, picnics along the way, etc.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/car-camping-essentials/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/car-camping-essentials/I Wish I Knew How to Pack Light for a Conferencehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/l-J0cTiH6oE/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/how-to-pack-light-for-a-conference/#respondSun, 29 Apr 2018 05:07:48 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1023I’m attending the Women in Travel Summit (WITS) in Québec City! It’s taken me more time than I care to admit to pack my suitcase and carry-on back for the conference. I really wanted to pack light for a conference and travel carry-on only, but my personal item (a camera backpack) is too long, unfortunately. Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of

]]>I’m attending the Women in Travel Summit (WITS) in Québec City! It’s taken me more time than I care to admit to pack my suitcase and carry-on back for the conference. I really wanted to pack light for a conference and travel carry-on only, but my personal item (a camera backpack) is too long, unfortunately.

Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on any of the links and make a purchase I may receive some money back. There is no additional cost to you.

Reasons why I Feel Like I Have no Idea how to Pack Light for a Conference

There will be a variety of activities over the 11 day trip. For instance, there will be outdoor excursions planned during a 3-day press trip I’m going on to the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area. I will also be indoors for two full days in a hotel during the conference. I know indoor air conditioning is often set pretty high (which means that I’ve planned to wear cardigans layered over a light dress or blouse for those days). For the rest of the days I’ll be either flying to or from Québec City for most of the two days, or walking around the city with tour guides.

I’m admittedly indecisive. I keep going back and forth with the items that I’ve picked out to bring. Will I look too casual? Should I bring more blouses?

I’ve only been to one conference (Alt Summit during June in Salt Lake City, Utah) prior to going to WITS (Women in Travel Summit), so learning how to pack light for a conference will be a work in progress for a while.

For Alt Summit I didn’t have money to purchase items of clothing specifically for the conference and I also really don’t like wearing hot weather clothing (shorts, short skirts, tank tops). I feel like I have plenty of clothing options for WITS, but still feel unprepared.

What to Pack for a Conference

There are a few pieces of luggage/accessories that I wish I owned. I keep hearing about packing cubes. Packing cubes are soft mesh cubes that hold and organize clothing. I have some mesh laundry-style cubes I’ll be using until I can get my hands on these:

I have a camera/laptop backpack but wish I had something else for my carry-on luggage, since the backpack doesn’t fit clothing or much else. There are SO MANY laptop backpacks out there and I have found so many on the eBags website. This Browning Jackson Carry-On Backpack below looks promising, though:

What do you pack when you’re going to a conference? Once I’ve been to a few more and feel more confident, I’ll share what I bring with me.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/how-to-pack-light-for-a-conference/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/how-to-pack-light-for-a-conference/How to Leave Room for Spontaneous Travel in your Planshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/TBiE7ytF_wk/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/spontaneous-travel-in-your-plans/#respondSun, 15 Apr 2018 01:18:52 +0000https://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=1008You can call it FOMO (fear of missing out), with a dash of “don’t tell me what to do” rebellion, but I like to have some say in how my time in spent when I travel. Spontaneous travel can work on its own or mixed in with activities you’ve planned. I generally want to have some ideas for what to do and where to spend my time, but I don’t

]]>You can call it FOMO (fear of missing out), with a dash of “don’t tell me what to do” rebellion, but I like to have some say in how my time in spent when I travel. Spontaneous travel can work on its own or mixed in with activities you’ve planned.

I generally want to have some ideas for what to do and where to spend my time, but I don’t want to follow a rigid schedule. What if I’m checking out a cool museum, or heading to a restaurant and see an interesting looking street with lots of great-looking shops down it? I’d want to have the flexibility in my day to be able to wander around for a bit.

Even booked tours leave a little room for taking in other sites, or doing whatever you want. Yet, when I come across people who plan out every single thing they’re doing, they seem overwhelmed, exhausted, and generally seem like they’re not having any fun on their vacations.

I think there definitely has to be a balance when it comes to making travel plans.

How to Leave Room for Spontaneous Travel in your Plans

Have a general area where you will spend time. For instance, the Capitol Hill area in Seattle is several streets and many blocks worth of fun shops, cafés, and entertainment. One could spend a few hours wandering around, having something to eat, and grabbing a coffee or two. So, you’re planning out the where but not what you do.

Choose something to do, then have your travelling companion take a turn. One person chooses the first thing to do or place to go and then it’s the next person’s choice. This can go on for as long as you’re both interested. This allows for variety,

There are a few ways you can plan a great trip, while still allowing time for spontaneity. Start by having a central place to keep your travel ideas. Then, choose a few can’t-miss things to do/check out. Use the location of those things to plan to spend a few hours wandering around/eating/doing whatever you want. Finally, be sure to leave time in the evening to unwind, enjoy a long dinner, or go to something local that catches your eye (a show, movie, or play).

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/spontaneous-travel-in-your-plans/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/spontaneous-travel-in-your-plans/5 Dates that Don’t Involve the Indoorshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/8VYYYbR5cl4/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/outdoor-dates/#respondSat, 02 Dec 2017 06:25:12 +0000http://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=953Feeling adventurous? Don’t let the weather keep you and your date from exploring winter on the West Coast. Snowshoe for Two: Lace up at Sea to Sky Gondola and choose any one of five trails to explore on snowshoes. Take advantage of après in the Summit Lodge afterwards with a festive beverage. (Photo Credit: Paul Bride, Sea to Sky Gondola) Mountaintop Ice Skating: Take in the views of downtown Vancouver

]]>Feeling adventurous? Don’t let the weather keep you and your date from exploring winter on the West Coast.

Snowshoe for Two: Lace up at Sea to Sky Gondola and choose any one of five trails to explore on snowshoes. Take advantage of après in the Summit Lodge afterwards with a festive beverage.

(Photo Credit: Paul Bride, Sea to Sky Gondola)

Mountaintop Ice Skating: Take in the views of downtown Vancouver from the top of Grouse Mountain, while gliding across an outdoor rink. Warm up in the Peak Chalet or catch a Christmas classic in the Theatre in the Sky.

Christmas Light Maze: Explore Enchant, the world’s largest Christmas Light Maze with over 55,000 square feet of illuminated sculptures. After completing the maze, check out the Christmas market that’s complete with food trucks and a licensed area with holiday drinks.

VanDusen Festival of Lights: VanDusen Garden will once again transform into a winter wonderland. Cozy up on the newly built carousel or take a selfie under the dazzling lights of the “Eiffel Tower” while snacking on roasted chestnuts.

Stanley Park Train Ride: A long-time classic is back for yet another year. Hop on the Bright Nights Train and prepare to be dazzled by three million lights and live performers along the way.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/outdoor-dates/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/outdoor-dates/Britannia Mine Museum: Vancouver Excursionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/Uawnl-UZwnQ/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/britannia-mine-museum-vancouver-excursion/#respondThu, 30 Mar 2017 14:00:39 +0000http://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=806Sometimes, I really want to get out of the city, but still stay relatively close to home. The Britannia Mine Museum is beautifully situated on the Sea-to-Sky Highway just before Squamish. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Vancouver on a very pleasant stretch of road. I’d driven past it many times before, not sure exactly what the giant structure jutting out from the side of the mountain was. Upon closer

]]>Sometimes, I really want to get out of the city, but still stay relatively close to home. The Britannia Mine Museum is beautifully situated on the Sea-to-Sky Highway just before Squamish. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Vancouver on a very pleasant stretch of road.

I’d driven past it many times before, not sure exactly what the giant structure jutting out from the side of the mountain was. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a a mine – no longer operational – turned in to a museum. Most people who drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway north from Vancouver are heading to Whistler.

My best friend Greg and I took a trip up to the Britannia Mine Museum on a lovely, sunny afternoon a few years ago. We spent a good 2 hours exploring the museum and went to Squamish for lunch at our favourite café there.

Britannia Beach looks pretty quiet and sleepy these days, but having watched the short video inside the museum, I know things used to be very different. Back before there was a highway, workers and family members travelled to Britannia Beach via a large boat. Thousands of people lived up on the mountain and also in the townsite near the water.

Though the most obvious structure to visit is the white building (the mill), you can see in the picture above, there are so many other buildings to spend time in.

The Britannia Mine Museum has worked hard to make the museum experience fun for people of all ages – even young children. There’s a play area, plus a place for children to pan for gold. I think children would enjoy many other areas of the museum, too – as there is a lot to see walking around, and not just things behind glass to read descriptions of.

One of my favourite parts of the experience was looking at historic equipment. The other was riding the mining train to go inside one of the mining tunnels. A little loud at points, when the tour guide demonstrated different techniques used in mining, overall it really gave me a sense of the way the miners worked in such dark quarters, deep underground.

Recommended for: history buffs, children, elderly – apart from some stairs to climb to go on the mine tour, it is fairly easy to walk around.

The setting of the mine museum is stunning, located between Vancouver and Squamish, the short drive to the Britannia Mine Museum is perfect for a quick city escape.

]]>https://celebratelifesadventures.com/britannia-mine-museum-vancouver-excursion/feed/0https://celebratelifesadventures.com/britannia-mine-museum-vancouver-excursion/Celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday with a Parks Canada Discovery Pass #Canada150http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CelebrateLifesAdventures/~3/Jb1cQkR6etU/
https://celebratelifesadventures.com/canadas-150th-birthday-parks-canada-discovery-pass/#respondWed, 18 Jan 2017 01:35:25 +0000http://celebratelifesadventures.com/?p=964Where will your Parks Canada Discovery Pass take you this year? This year, to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Discovery Passes, which grant free access to Canada’s national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas for you and your family, are free! With almost 200 locations throughout Canada, there’s sure to be a few nearby that you can visit this year. This Parks Canada Discovery Pass is only the second one I’ve owned. When

This year, to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Discovery Passes, which grant free access to Canada’s national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas for you and your family, are free! With almost 200 locations throughout Canada, there’s sure to be a few nearby that you can visit this year.

This Parks Canada Discovery Pass is only the second one I’ve owned. When I moved back to my hometown of Calgary, Alberta with my best friend for (what turned out to be) 10 months, we wanted to make the most of our time near the Canadian Rockies with a Discovery Pass. There are at least a dozen Parks Canada sites/parks within a few hours drive of Calgary. I’ll be checking out at least a few of them this summer when I go through the area on a road trip.

For the past few years, I’ve been on a quest to visit all locations of national parks, national historic sites, and marine conservation areas in Canada. I hope to visit at least 10 locations on my list this year.

“Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas tell the stories of who we are as a country. They represent not only Canada’s natural beauty and diverse heritage, but the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Parks Canada’s commitment to you is to protect and share these special places with Canadians and visitors from around the world.” – Catherine McKenna Minister Responsible for Parks Canada

So, whether you’re discovering a new-to-you national park, historic site, or marine conservation area, or going back to visit an old favourite this year, be sure to bring along your free Parks Canada Discovery Pass.